Wednesday, July 02, 2008

COMMENTS: Welcome Back, Kuroda! Little bit of 70's humor for you there. If yesterday's frittered-away six-run lead wasn't enough to confound you, then how about the gigantic question mark that is the return of Hiroki Kuroda? Will we see complete-game Hiroki or shelled-in-three-inningsHiroki? Shirimasen! Little bit of Japanese humor for you there.

Meanwhile, the Astros' Hernandez is equally unpredictable, but only because this is his second start of the season. The only certainty in today's game is that Lance Berkman is a beast and should be avoided at all costs. And we miss Juan Pierre! Little bit of Dodgers humor for you there.

Make no mistake: The Dodgers are deep enough in young talent to obtain someone like Sabathia or Rockies left fielder Matt Holliday, plus any smaller pieces they desire. Rival clubs, however, remain skeptical that the Dodgers will make a major move. The team has been extremely protective of its young players, more talk than action.

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Say this for the D-backs and Dodgers: They've been so maddening to watch, they've essentially liberated their respective general managers, giving them every reason to be creative.

One of these teams is almost certain to win the division. Really. Seriously. We promise.